“A Day of Narnia” Celebrates Imagination and Faith
Hillcrest Academy’s Lower Campus recently stepped into the world of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This event was a creative experience and a foundational opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of God’s character and creation through the lens of Lewis’s work. As students explored the story's themes, they also bolstered their confidence and faith by developing their imagination in a structured, meaningful way that aligns with the classical model of learning at Hillcrest.
Dressed as their favorite characters from Narnia, students engaged in dramatic presentations that brought key scenes to life. Each portrayal—from Lucy’s brave curiosity to Aslan’s sacrificial love—highlighted core Christian virtues, such as courage, forgiveness, and redemption. This immersive approach nurtured students’ imaginations while reinforcing their understanding of God’s order and design in the world. As they acted out these scenes, students were not only embracing creative expression but also discovering how Lewis used the structure of Narnia’s world to mirror the character and sovereignty of God.
The classical model of learning encourages students to seek truth, beauty, and goodness, and Lewis’s work is a perfect vessel for exploring these ideas. The imaginative elements of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe foster a deep sense of wonder in students while also guiding them toward understanding the ordered nature of God’s creation. This balance of imagination and structure is critical in building both intellectual confidence and spiritual faith, as students learn to see the world through a biblical lens while also stretching their creative minds.
Building Faith Through Discussion
After each performance, students engaged in thoughtful discussions that connected the fictional events in Narnia to real-life faith applications. These conversations gave them the opportunity to reflect on how the characters’ actions in the story related to Christ-like virtues, such as sacrifice and leadership. These moments are invaluable for discipleship, as students learn to articulate their faith and see how the lessons they’re learning in literature reflect the order and beauty of God’s world.
This type of reflective learning, where faith, literature, and imagination intertwine, is a hallmark of the classical model at Hillcrest. By connecting academic subjects to a deeper understanding of God, students develop a holistic faith that shapes both their intellectual and spiritual growth.
A Taste of Narnia: More Than Literature
No Narnian celebration would be complete without a taste of Turkish delight, the tempting treat that plays a central role in the story. For the students, the act of tasting this treat became another lesson—reminding them of the consequences of choices and the importance of discernment. By making these connections, students began to see how literature extends beyond mere stories, inviting them into a world where faith and wisdom are woven together.
A Holistic Approach to Learning
This day of Narnia was more than a literary event—it was a holistic learning experience that underscored the value of discipleship in Hillcrest’s classical Christian education. Through the imagination of Narnia, students were able to explore profound spiritual truths in a way that built their confidence and faith, all while being rooted in the structure and order of God’s design. By integrating creative exploration with thoughtful reflection, Hillcrest students are developing not only as thinkers but as Christ-centered leaders who see the world through the lens of God’s story.
In every way, this celebration reflects the spirit of classical Christian education at Hillcrest, where literature, imagination, and faith form a rich tapestry that shapes the hearts and minds of our students for lifelong discipleship.
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